Orion Promos

JIMMY "ORION" ELLIS PROMOTIONAL RELEASES

SUN SI-1152. Released 1980 U.S.A.
Credited to Orion
A six track promotional release specially for disc jockey use. Each track lasts one minute and features the song "A Stranger In My Place" overdubbed with spoken dialogue by Orion.
Cut 1. Favourite Station
Cut 2. Best Music
Cut 3. Birthday
Cut 4. Wedding Anniversary
Cut 5. Good Music
Cut 6. Great Station

Listed below is a small selection of discs issued by various record labels in a bid to promote Orion/Jimmy Ellis record releases. Any further info, additions or label scans welcome.

KRISTAL KS-2292 U.S.A. I'M SAVING UP MY PENNIES/I'M SAVING UP MY PENNIES
Released 1984
Credited to Orion
Promo single pressed on blue vinyl specially for disc jockeys.
45rpm Single

U.S.A.F. COUNTRY MUSIC TIME (PROGRAM 803/804) Released 1982 U.S.A. Box set containing seven records which was sent out to American Air Force military radio stations. Disc 7 features the songs "Crazy Little Thing Called Love", "Feelings" and "Save The Last Dance For Me" with Orion being interviewed by Sgt. Pete Frankett between songs on side one of the disc. Side two features Lobo.
NOTE: Other discs in the set have selections by other artists including: Dave Roland And Sugar; Lee Greenwood; Tompall And The Glaser Brothers; Del Reeves; Johnny Russell, Burrito Brothers; The Kendalls.

MERRY CHRISTMAS (NO CAT. NO.) Released 1980 U.S.A.
Credited to Orion
Jingle Bells; Away In A Manger; I Heard The Bells; Up On The House Top; O Little Town Of Bethlehem; Joy To The World; We Wish You A Merry Christmas.
NOTE: Special Orion Fan Club disc featuring all "undubbed" recordings, ie. just Orion accompanied by piano. Vocal overdubs by the Jordanaires added later to these tracks for commercial release. Also features a spoken Christmas message from Orion. Accompanied by a handwritten note from Shelby Singleton.
33rpm Extended Play

BOBLO BO 518 U.S.A. THE CLOSER HE GETS/IT'S YOU AGAIN
Released 1976
Credited to Jimmy Ellis
Promo single specially for disc jockeys.
45rpm Single

BOBLO BO 526 U.S.A. TUPELO WOMAN/JUST OUT OF REACH
Released 1977
Credited to Jimmy Ellis
Promo single specially for disc jockeys.
45rpm Single

BOBLO BO 531 U.S.A. THERE YOU GO/HERE COMES THAT WONDERFUL FEELING AGAIN
Released 1977
Credited to Jimmy Ellis
Promo single specially for disc jockeys.
45rpm Single

BOBLO BO 532 U.S.A. MOVIN' ON/MY BABY'S OUT OF SIGHT
Released 1977
Credited to Jimmy Ellis
Promo single specially for disc jockeys.
45rpm Single

BOBLO BO 536 U.S.A. I'M NOT TRYING TO BE LIKE ELVIS/GAMES YOU BEEN PLAYING Released 1978
Promo single specially for disc jockeys.
NOTE: Released with picture sleeve, featuring photo of Jimmy Ellis.
45rpm Single

SUN 1129 U.S.A. BLUE MOON OF KENTUCKY/THAT'S ALL RIGHT
Released 1972
Issued without artist credit in a bid to fool the public into thinking this was an Elvis Presley recording.
Promo copy
45rpm Single

SUN 1129 U.S.A. BLUE MOON OF KENTUCKY/THAT'S ALL RIGHT
Released 1972
Reissued and credited to Jimmy Ellis
Promo copy
45rpm Single

SUN 1131 U.S.A. I USE HER TO REMIND ME OF YOU/I USE HER TO REMIND ME OF YOU
Released 1973
Credited to Jimmy Ellis
Promo copy
NOTE: One side mono, other side is stereo.
45rpm Single

SUN 1139 U.S.A. SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME/SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME
Released 1978
Credited to Jerry Lee Lewis And Friends.
D.J. copy pressed on gold vinyl.
NOTE: Two different labels available, one giving LP details while other gives no details of LP release.
45rpm Single

SUN 1141 U.S.A. COLD COLD HEART/HELLO JOSEPHINE
Released 1979
Credited to Jerry Lee Lewis And Friends
D.J. copy pressed on gold vinyl.
45rpm Single

SUN 1142 U.S.A. EBONY EYES/HONEY
Released 1979
Credited to Orion
D.J. copy pressed on gold vinyl.
45rpm Single

SUN 1148 U.S.A. REMEMBER BETHLEHEM/SILENT NIGHT
Released 1979
Credited to Orion
Pressed on both black and gold vinyl.
45rpm Single

SUN 1151 U.S.A. BE BOP A LULA/BREAKUP
Released 1980
Credited to Jerry Lee Lewis And Friends
Promo copy pressed on gold vinyl.
NOTE: Side A is a duet by J. L. Lewis and Jimmy Ellis, side B features duet by Charlie Rich and Jimmy Ellis.
45rpm Single

SUN 1152 U.S.A. A STRANGER IN MY PLACE/IT AIN'T NO MYSTERY
Released 1980
Credited to Orion
Taken from the SUNRISE album
Promo copy pressed on gold vinyl.
45rpm Single

SUN 1153 U.S.A. TEXAS TEA/TEXAS TEA
Released 1980
Credited to Orion
Taken from the COUNTRY album
Promo copy pressed on gold vinyl.
45rpm Single

SUN 1156 U.S.A. AM I THAT EASY TO FORGET/CRAZY ARMS
Released 1980
Credited to Orion
Taken from the COUNTRY album
Promo copy pressed on gold vinyl with white label.
45rpm Single

SUN (NO CATALOGUE NUMBER) U.S.A. TEXAS TEA/AM I THAT EASY TO FORGET
(Released 1980)
Credited to Orion
Taken from the COUNTRY album
Promo copy pressed on gold vinyl with Century 21 Landmark Properties label.
NOTE: A very rare, little known, and now much sought after Orion record release combining two of the tracks from the previous two Orion Sun singles. This was issued in very limited quantity by Sun Records in co-operation with Century 21 Properties which is a U.S.A. real estate company and are known to have sponsored Jimmy's live appearances.
45rpm Single

SUN 1159 U.S.A. ROCKABILLY REBEL/ROCKABILLY REBEL
Released 1980
Credited to Orion
Taken from the ROCKABILLY album
Promo copy pressed on gold vinyl with white label.
45rpm Single

SUN 1162 U.S.A. CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE/CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE Released 1981
Credited to Orion
Taken from the ROCKABILLY album
Promo copy pressed on gold vinyl with white label.
45rpm Single

SUN 1165 U.S.A. BORN/BORN
Released 1981
Credited to Orion
Taken from the FRESH album
Promo copy pressed on gold vinyl with white label.
45rpm Single

SUN 1170 U.S.A. SOME YOU WIN, SOME YOU LOSE/SOME YOU WIN, SOME YOU LOSE
Released 1981
Credited to Orion
Taken from the FRESH album
Promo copy pressed on gold vinyl with white label.
45rpm Single

SUN 1172 U.S.A. FEELINGS/BABY PLEASE SAY YES
Released 1982
Credited to Orion
Taken from the FEELINGS/FRESH albums
Promo copy pressed on black vinyl with white label.
45rpm Single

SUN 1175 U.S.A. HONKY TONK HEAVEN/MORNING, NOON AND NIGHT
Released 1982
Credited to Orion
Promo copy pressed on gold vinyl with white label.
NOTE: This single was intended to promote the upcoming SURPRISE album (SUN 1029) and this is stated on the disc label, but the LP was cancelled before release and, as yet, has never seen an official release.
45rpm Single

SUN 1177 U.S.A. LISTEN TO DADDY/LISTEN TO DADDY
Released 1982
Credited to Orion
Promo copy pressed on gold vinyl.
NOTE: Features the voice of Shana Stacy Singleton. A black and white drawing of a masked man singing to a little girl was enclosed with this promo release. Some picture sleeves featuring the same drawing were reportedly made for the standard release but were never used.
45rpm Single

SUN 1179 U.S.A. MORNING, NOON AND NIGHT/THAT OLD TIME FEELING
Released 1982
Credited to Orion
Promo copy pressed specially for disc jockeys.
NOTE: Some doubt exists amongst collectors as to whether this Orion single was actually released. The B side "That Old Time Feeling" has, as yet, never been heard.
45rpm Single

SUN 1142 U.S.A. HONEY/EBONY EYES Released 1979
Credited to Orion
Taken from the REBORN album
Very rare gold vinyl disc with blank white label sent out to people in the music business by Shelby Singleton to promote the Orion mystery.
NOTE: Also included a hand written note on Sun International notepaper from Shelby requesting the recipient to listen to the record.
45rpm Single

SOUTHERN TRACKS ST1069 U.S.A. THANK GOD FOR AMERICA/THANK GOD FOR AMERICA Released 1986
Credited to Jimmy Ellis
Promo copy specially for DJ's
45rpm Single

SOUTHERN TRACKS ST1080 U.S.A. SUNDAY FATHER/SUNDAY FATHER
Released 1987
Credited to Jimmy Ellis
Promo copy specially for DJ's
45rpm Single

VULCAN V-1060-NSD U.S.A. DOWN IN MISSISSIPPI/DOWN IN MISSISSIPPI
Released 1987
Credited to Steven Silver
Promo copy specially for DJ's
45rpm Single

STARGEM SG-2465 U.S.A. ONLY A WOMAN LIKE YOU/ONLY A WOMAN LIKE YOU
Released 1990
Credited to Orion
Promo copy specially for D.J.'s
45rpm Single

MCA-40060 U.S.A. THERE YA GO/HERE COMES THAT FEELING AGAIN
Released 1973
Credited to Jimmy Ellis
Promo single specially for disc jockeys
45rpm Single

BOBLO (CAT. NO.UNKNOWN) U.S.A. I USE HER TO REMIND ME OF YOU/I USE HER TO REMIND ME OF YOU
Released 1973
Credited to Jimmy Ellis
Promo single. One side Mono other STEREO.
45 rpm Single

SUN 1129
WITH ARTIST CREDIT

SUN 1129
WITHOUT ARTIST CREDIT

SUN SI-1142
RARE BLANK LABEL PROMO DISC

NOTE FROM SHELBY SINGLETON

U.S.A.F. DISC 803/804

SUN ROCKS ON (SUN SNL.20006) Australia
Credited to Orion
White label album. Very rare test pressing for the ten inch (25cm.) release. This disc was pressed with Side 1 labels on each side. In the copy used for reference the number 1 has been altered by hand to read Side 2.

ORION PRESS PACK U.S.A.
Rare promo press pack issued by The Tony Lawrence Organisation. Includes two 8" by 10" photographs and a fact sheet along with a copy of the three track cassette. Songs: Freeze Up; I Do; Still In Love With Billy.

ELLIS JAMES SINGS STARGEM JEG 001 Released 1990 U.S.A.
The first Ellis/Orion CD issued by Stargem and in a very limited edition. Sold at Jimmy's live appearances.
No front cover and just a track listing on the back and on the disc itself.
I'm Saving Up My Pennies; Mr. Me Misses You; Hell To Pay (But It's Heaven Tonight); Deep End; Out Of My Life; Hundred Pounds Of Clay; I'm Starting Over; You're Stealing My Wife (One Piece At A Time); You Never Talk When We're Dancing; Love Lifted Me.

Special thanks to Jimmy Ellis/Orion eGroups for use of photo

NOTE: It is probably safe to assume that test pressings were made of all Jimmy's LP albums, in particular the Sun releases. At present however the following are the only ones where details are available. Release dates cannot, as yet, be confirmed but are most likely the same as year of regular released album.

ROCKABILLY (SUN 1021T) U.S.A.

LP album bearing a plain white label with small black "Sun" logo on the top centre. Under the centre hole is stamped test pressing". Nearby is the word "approved" stamped in red ink and S-1021-T handwritten. Also came with a note on Shelby Singleton's letterhaded paper asking which songs would be suitable for single release.

DUETS (SUN 1011) U.S.A.

Credited to Orion
Two different test pressings available.
One is on gold vinyl with white labels bearing a small Sun logo and the words "Test Pressing" printed in black. Plain white cover with "Two Giant Forces Meet - The Explosive Results Are Enclosed" rubber stamped on one side.
Second version is on black vinyl with white labels and small Sun logo and "Test Pressing" printed in black. Details of cover unknown.

SUN SI-1142 EBONY EYES/HONEY U.S.A.
Credited to Orion

NOTE: Gold vinyl disc with blank white labels. Record came with memo from Shelby Singleton enclosed.

SPECIAL NOTE: For promotion purposes the regular Sun albums were issued with the words "Promotion Copy" rubber stamped on the front cover. Some of these promo albums had black and white photos of Orion enclosed.

REBORN (SUN 1012) U.S.A.

Credited to Orion
Gold vinyl LP with excess plastic round edges.. Yellow labels with brown lettering and marked with the word "Hot". Cover details not known.

FRESH (SUN 1028) U.S.A.

Credited to Orion
Black vinyl LP with white labels the small Sun logo and the words "Test Pressing" printed in black. Cover is a paper version of the released album. Enclosed was a black and white paper insert featuring two promotional labels.

THE VOICE OF MR. E (LABEL/CAT. NO. NOT KNOWN) U.S.A.

Hurt; Burning Love; My Way; Moody Blue; Kentucky Rain; Return To Sender.

NOTE: Contains six tracks from the Boblo Records release BY REQUEST, ELLIS SINGS ELVIS

MARY JANE DOE NO LABEL/CAT NO. Released 2002 U.S.A.
Very rare two track promo CD sent out to members of the Jimmy Ellis/Orion eGroups website. Features Jimmy Ellis singing/speaking the title track, second track is instrumental version. Label states "promo for child abuse org. recorded at Jerry Cupid Studio".

NOTE FROM SHELBY SINGLETON

Further ROCKABILLY test pressing which looks slightly different to the one shown above. Again an LP album bearing a plain white label with small black "Sun" logo on the top centre. Under the centre hole is stamped test pressing".

ROCKABILLY (SUN 1021) U.S.A